Elizabeth Wickett, a Canadian, and her husband, Stephen Brichieri-Colombi, an Englishman whose family originally came from Italy, have recently restored an ancient “Conventino” or ‘little convent’ near Anghiari, about 20 kms from Arezzo. They are now offering two exclusive English and French speaking tours within Tuscany, Connoisseur’s Tuscany, all the most beautiful places in Eastern Tuscany, and Hidden Tuscany, for aficionados who have already seen Florence and Siena, but would like to explore beautiful hill towns and ancient churches, far from the madding crowds.

KEY UPCOMING TOURS:

Connoisseur's tour and free touring week from Conventino, May 13th-26th -- FULL --

Connoisseur's tour, June 17th-24th - pick-up from Rome/Florence or Bologna -- SPACE AVAILABLE --

Truffle Tour, October 13th-20th, 2007 -- SPACES STILL AVAILABLE --

Special tours can also be organised whenever there are sufficient numbers (min. 6, and larger groups can be accommodated by special arrangement).

Please call/email to enquire about availability, prices and bookings: Telephone/Fax: ++39-0575-723054. Em@il: SynAquaNon@hotmail.com

Tour 1: Connoisseur’s Tuscany

This 7-day guided tour will be based at the Conventino and start from pick-up at one of three airports: Rome, Florence and Bologna Forli airports. Guests will stay at the Conventino (see Accommodation below for details).

Day 1 (Saturday) Airport pick-up, introduction to the Conventino and Anghiari

The first morning, we will meet the group at the airport, and drive back to Anghiari, having a light lunch en route. After a relaxing siesta and shower, in the early evening we will drive to Anghiari, stroll around the old town and in order to imbibe the atmosphere of this extraordinary mediaeval town, taste some selected wines at a local Enoteca (or wine bar) in the heart of the ancient walls. We will then adjourn to the famous Bar Baldaccio for a fabulous pizza of funghi porcini or other local delicacies served al fresco on a balcony above the piazza.

Day 2 (Sunday) The haunts of hermits, monks and birthplace of Michelangelo, Caprese Michelangelo and La Verna

This morning, we will set out on a three hour walk from the Conventino up through the surrounding hills of Monti Rognosi, an ancient range of mountains where gold and native copper was mined by the Etruscans, and then along the escarpment towards Sasseto and the mediaeval castle of Montauto with wonderful vistas down towards the Montedoglio Lake and Sovara valley beyond.

After coffee, we will then drive up along the ridge to the eyrie of Caprese Michelangelo. This is the birthplace of the famous sculptor and there we will enjoy a spectacular seventeen course Sunday lunch at a traditional restaurant overlooking the valley just below, being treated to local specialities of porcini mushrooms and truffles amidst the hubbub of local crowds.

That afternoon, we will press on to the prominent rock fortress of Chiusi della Verna, sanctuary of St. Francis of Assisi, visiting his bed of stone and forest retreat as well as the nearby church which features a collection of famous painted ceramics by della Robbia’.

This will be followed by siesta at the Conventino and for those who can manage it after the enormous lunch, a snack supper with wine and condiments.

Day 3 (Monday) Sansepolcro, Monterchi and Arezzo: the paintings of Piero della Francesca

The third day, we shall head for Sansepolcro to visit the famous sculpture of the Volto Santo in the twelfth century Duomo or Cathedral (according to legend, brought back from Palestine where it was seized during the crusades) and then go off to the Civic Museum to see the frescoes by the Sansepolcran painter, Piero della Francesca including the stunning “Resurrection”. After coffee in a local café, we will go on to the Etruscan hill town of Monterchi to see the fresco of the “Madonna del Parto” also by Piero della Francesca where we will stop for lunch at a bistro overlooking the tenth century Benedictine convent there.

After this relaxing break, we will drive a short distance to Arezzo to see the frescoes entitled “The Legend of the True Cross” at the superb church of San Francesco and the portrait of Mary Magdalene in the Arezzo Cathedral, both haunting works by the celebrated Piero della Francesca.

That evening we will arrange a cooking lesson in Italian (with running translation) followed by an evening reception al fresco on the lawn of the Conventino. We will watch the preparation of and afterwards feast on a menu of local specialities: crostini of liver pate, tomatoes and boletus (porcini) mushrooms, tagliatelle with ragu, roast duck stuffed with fennel cooked in the wood-burning oven and the traditional panna cotta, washed down with “Il Conventino” wine selected from the famous vineyards of the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano” near Siena.

Day 4 (Tuesday) Siena and San Gimignano

This day we will depart early in the morning, passing through the ancient hilltown of Lucignano past olive groves and vineyards to Siena. There we will visit the piazza where the palio takes place, the spectacular Duomo, the Ospedale de Santa Maria and the Palazzo Pretorio.

We will have a typical Tuscan lunch (pasta and salad) in a small trattoria in the heart of Siena and then visit a cantina along the Vino Nobile de Montepulciano trail for a bit of wine tasting. If time permits, and the group is willing, we will also visit San Gimignano with its host of mediaeval towers, not far from Siena. We will drive back home after all this travelling in the late afternoon to the Conventino for a siesta.

That evening, after a shower and siesta we will have a relaxing supper al fresco on the lawn of the Conventino.

Day 5 (Wednesday) Anghiari

We will visit the weekly market, drink coffee above the hubbub in the heart of the main square and tour the ancient walls inside the castle and along the ramparts to catch the superb vista of the Tiber valley. We will nip into the old monastery, the Badia and other mediaeval buildings such as the Palazzo Pretorio, now site of the Commune or Town Hall.

After strolling around the walls, we will stop for a pasta lunch at another well-known Anghiarese restaurant.

After lunch and siesta, for aspiring cooks, we will all participate a second cooking lesson in modern, innovative Tuscan cooking followed by an early dinner at Il Conventino. Later on we will attend a concert of live music in Anghiari or Monterchi, depending on the programme.

Day 6 (Thursday) Free day at the Conventino

This may be enjoyed as a quiet day in the shade of the oak trees reading a book, walking or a shopping expedition cum café-sitting in Anghiari. Within a few kilometres of the Conventino are a series of hiking or cycling trails along spectacular ridges above the Arno and Tiber valleys, either through the Nature Reserve of Monti Rognosi, through the Contea of Montauto, or below the Alpe de Catenaia along the old Roman road which joined the Conventino to Florence. All of these are clearly marked on special maps and we will be happy to drop people off and pick them up at selected points to keep the walks manageable.

Day 7 (Friday) Florence

We will set off early to Florence, first driving to Arezzo and then travelling by express train (30 minutes) walking through the centre to the superb Duomo, Baptistery, Piazza della Signoria, and the church of Santa Maria Novella.

We will have lunch at a small jewel of a traditional restaurant favoured by Florentines near the Duomo, and then proceed to a selective view of the Uffizi museum masterpieces of Giotto, Botticelli and Piero della Francesca. As preferred, we will stroll through the lanes and relax in the piazza cafes, shop or alternatively proceed to see the famous sculpture of the David at the Academia and the church of San Marco.

We will return late that afternoon from Florence to the Conventino for a siesta and farewell dinner.

Day 8 (Saturday) Departure from Conventino for the Airport

En route to Rome airport, if time permits, we shall travel through along the Tiber valley through Umbria, stopping for lunch one way in the ancient town of Todi, or alternatively, again, if time allows, we will aim to include a trip to the superb hill town of Palestrina to see the site of the famous oracle of the goddess Primogenia, and the fascinating Nile Mosaic of fantasy animals and ancient Egyptian temples dating from the early Hellenistic period.

Cultural events

July and August are stellar months for cultural events in and around Anghiari. Last year, AnghiAri hosted the London-based South Bank Sinfonia from 19th July for one week in a series of daily performances of chamber music, opera and symphonic works in the superb setting of mediaeval castles in around Anghiari as well as soloists from the Studio Lirico. In nearby Monterchi, open-air music concerts are normally held every Wednesday night during July and August, and in Arezzo and environs, a myriad of concerts and competitions take place annually in August and September, amongst which are the international festivals of classical organ, last year held in La Verna, the festival of polyphonic music, and the Festival of Nations in nearby Citta de Castello.

In July when the gala palio or commemorative race celebrating the battle of Anghiari from 1440 takes place, this will also be integrated into the programme.

Accommodation

Accommodation at the Conventino consists of the following: on the first two floors of the Conventino there are 4 bedrooms: 1 king-size bedroom suitable for a couple plus bathroom, 1 smaller bedroom plus bathroom, and 2 additional double bedrooms which share another bathroom. There is also an apartment on the second floor consisting of a double bedroom, living room with king-size sofa bed and bathroom. Therefore, we can accommodate 2 couples plus 3 singles, 1 couple with private bathroom and 5 singles (one with private bath, and 4 others sharing two adjoining baths), 6 singles with two sharing the upper apartment, or alternatively, 5 singles.

Further information and availability details

The tours are for 6-7 people (larger groups can be accommodated by special arrangement) and are all-inclusive. The tour price includes all transportation costs, all meals in selected restaurants including local wine, dinners at the Conventino, wine-tastings at home and outside, all costs of accommodation and daily maid service, all entrance fees to museums or galleries, and pick up and delivery from the airport or train station of arrival. Please enquire for price details and offers.

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Tour 2: Connoisseurs’ Tuscany 14-day tour

1 week Tour (either Connoisseur's or Hidden Tuscany plus one week staying at Conventino with guests' own rental car and free exploration of the surrounding area and itinerary). Please enquire for price details and offers.

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Tour 3: “Hidden Tuscany”

Elizabeth and Stephen are also offering all-inclusive, accompanied tours of ‘Hidden Tuscany’ to groups of 6-7 persons (larger groups can be accommodated by special arrangement).

This particular package consists of a 7 day guided tour, which will include:

-- Day trips to five of the superb but virtually unknown hill towns of Tuscany selected by the Touring Club of Italy as winners of the Bandiera Arancione, all of which boast wonderful atmosphere, delicious wines and fascinating old churches. Of the 18 we have chosen Montepulciano, Montalcino, Trequanda, Radda in Chianti, and of course, the site of the Conventino, Anghiari.

-- Day excursions into the nearby towns of Sansepolcro, Arezzo Caprese Michelangelo (birthplace of Michelangelo Buonarroti) and La Verna as well as to interesting local churches and museums.

Each day will consist of a tour to one of these towns, lunch at a small local trattoria with menus featuring local specialities and regional wines specially selected for the group by Elizabeth and Stephen, and guided visits to places of cultural, archaeological or culinary interest in the area. Every late afternoon or evening, the group will return to the Conventino for a siesta or walk.

In the evenings, there will be a mixture of wine-tastings and sampling of cheeses from various areas of the High Tiber Valley at the Conventino prior to evening concerts or musical events taking place in and around the area (most usually during July and August) or alternatively Tuscan dinners served al fresco on the lawn high above the Sovara valley as the sun sets over the Alpe di Catenaia.

Elizabeth and Stephen will accompany and guide the tour, managing all aspects of the trip from pick-up aT the airport in Rome to delivery at the airport at the conclusion of the tour.

The tours include all transportation costs, all meals in selected restaurants including local wine, dinners at the Conventino, wine-tastings at home and outside, all costs of accommodation and daily maid service, all entrance fees to museums or galleries, and pick up and delivery from the airport of arrival. Please enquire for price details and offers.

A detailed itinerary of villages and programme of organised events will be provided to all who enquire. The list of musical events scheduled in and around Anghiari should be available from the month of April.

If a group would prefer to include other particular places within the “Hidden Tuscany” and expand the tour to 14 days, groups may request a specially designed package.

Tour 4: Gourmet Truffle Tours

In addition to our very popular Connoisseur’s Tuscany tours we are also offering a Gourmet truffle tours in Hidden Tuscany. Please click here for more details.

Some comments from previous guests to Il Conventino

Joe and Carmela and family from Plainview, New York wrote: "Our family always wanted to visit Tuscany but we were unsure about the best way to plan the trip. We saw the Conventino site and began to email Elizabeth several months before we made our decision. Her patience with our questions and knowledge of the area convinced us to make the booking. It was the best travel decision our family ever made! We visited historic places and experienced ristorantes that we would never have found on our own. It was truly a unique experience and one we will never forget. We cannot say enough about the hospitality offered by Elizabeth and Stephen and we continue to recommend Conventino to all our friends and relatives."

Paul and Susan from British Columbia, Canada wrote: "It has been a lifelong dream to visit Italy. I can say with all honesty that both of you made it a memorable trip. Thanks for all you did and also for all the little things that we are not aware of and will not appreciate until much later. We certainly count you as new-found friends and not just guides on the tour.May all your dreams for the Conventino come true. It has been a pleasure indeed!"

Noelleen and Michael from Sydney, Australia wrote: "We feel privileged to have stayed in such wonderful surroundings while exploring Tuscany. Your warmth and hospitality has helped make this an unforgettable experience and we hope to meet again at our upcoming reunion"

Click to see more comments in our guestbook

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